Discover the importance of gut health, the role of FMT, and how factors like diet and lifestyle can impact the success of FMT treatments.
Your body is full of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi – known as the microbiome. The term "gut microbiome" refers to these microorganisms living within our digestive system. Some can harm our health, but most are incredibly useful and necessary for our overall well-being.
Remember, a healthy gut strongly impacts our immediate and long-term health for the better.
Unfortunately, not everyone has a healthy gut, especially those suffering from Clostridium difficile (C. diff), a miserable disease that throws off an individual's gut bacterial equilibrium and causes many adverse side effects.
In recent years, scientists have realized that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can be an emerging treatment for gut-related conditions like C. diff.
In this article, we will discuss the importance of gut health, the role of FMT, and how factors like diet and lifestyle can impact the success of FMT treatments.
As mentioned above, FMT is slowly becoming a treatment option for patients dealing with C. diff infection and other diseases that disrupt the gut microbiome balance (i.e. Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) etc.)
The gut microbiome is responsible for numerous vital processes, such as nutrient absorption, hormone regulation, and immune system modulation.
In light of this, disruptions to the delicate balance of microorganisms within the gut can have far-reaching consequences for our physical and mental well-being.
However, FMT has been shown to improve patient outcomes by restoring their gut microbial composition – instantly curing 9/10 patients who undergo the procedure. Access to it is still difficult and often limited. Consulting with your doctor will be the first step in approving an FMT procedure should you want to try it.
Nonetheless, maintaining a balanced microbiome post-treatment can be challenging for some patients. One of our newsletter readers addresses this issue by asking the following:
"Five of our patients have had FMT with varying levels of success, largely due to dietary non-compliance and an inability to re-build a balanced microbiome. My questions are: what do the scientists recommend for long-term supplements and diet? And what can patients do post-FMT to maintain a balanced microbiome?"
Ryan, an FMT expert from Injoy, responded:
"The optimal diet for a patient to follow post-FMT to maintain a healthy microbiome is still under investigation. A survey of health professionals found the common dietary suggestion post-FMT was a diet high in fiber, prebiotics, and fruits and vegetables. In general, incorporating prebiotics and probiotics into your diet is recommended to maintain a balanced microbiome."
There are many factors to consider when learning about what affects the microbiome, such as the Western lifestyle and diet, lactose intolerance, and the use of antibiotics.
It still needs to be clarified what the perfect diet looks like after FMT.
As Ryan noted above, a diet high in:
may improve gut health and immunity.
Prebiotics are food components that promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. Prebiotics can be found in many fruits and vegetables that contain complex carbohydrates, like fibre and resistant starch.
At the same time, probiotics are live organisms that directly add to your gut's population of beneficial microbes. Probiotics can be found in fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha, and kimchi.
However, new studies show that simply changing your diet and incorporating prebiotics and probiotics are not suitable alternatives to FMT. That being said, probiotics may still hold a lot of health benefits, but it is obvious that more research is still needed to figure out exactly how best they can be used on a case-by-case basis.
TLDR: A fibre-rich diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and some fermented foods can help support a healthy gut microbiome after FMT. New research shows that diet changes alone are not an alternative solution compared to FMT.
A crucial aspect of maintaining a functioning microbiome after FMT is maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Here are a few considerations:
Artificial additives, such as emulsifiers and sweeteners found in many processed foods, can disrupt the gut microbiome and potentially negate the benefits of FMT. Minimizing the consumption of highly-processed foods can help maintain the newly established microbial balance after the treatment.
Read more about the best microbiome diets and how to improve your gut health naturally.
How we eat can also impact our gut health. Overeating and eating too quickly can lead to digestive issues and disrupt the gut microbiome. Practicing mindful eating, which involves eating slowly, savouring every bite, and paying attention to your body's signals, can improve digestion and contribute to a healthy gut environment post-FMT.
Staying well-hydrated is essential for overall gut health. Water helps maintain the balance of good bacteria in the gut and aids in digestion. Ensuring adequate water intake after FMT can contribute to the maintenance of a healthy microbiome
Regular exercise is known to positively influence the gut microbiome by increasing bacterial diversity and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria. Incorporating physical activity into your daily routine post-FMT can help support a thriving gut microbiome.
Practice meditation, yoga, and other relaxation techniques to manage stress, which can negatively affect your gut health.
As you improve your gut health, recognize signs of progress, such as better digestion, mood, and energy levels. Adjust your strategy based on your results, and consult healthcare professionals for personalized guidance. Regular check-ups and consultations will help ensure you stay on track with your microbiome restoration journey.
If you found this article insightful, you won't want to miss our upcoming documentary on FMT.
This eye-opening film will dive deeper into the science behind fecal microbiota transplantation and share real-life stories of people who have undergone the procedure.
To stay current on the documentary's release and receive more valuable information on gut health, subscribe to our newsletter.
Together, we can continue to learn and share knowledge about the fascinating world of the human microbiome and its impact on our health.
Ryan Martin is the Lead Scientist at Injoy, a startup focused on improving individuals' gut health through lifestyle and dietary recommendations. After completing his PhD in Pharmacology and Therapeutics at McGill University, Ryan joined Injoy to apply the latest microbiome research and AI methods to help individuals better understand their gut health.
Website: https://www.injoy.bio/
May 18, 2023
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